My Favorite Wine Tour to Date

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure, and I mean pleasure, to be a step-on guide for Opal and her daughters wedding party on an Edna Valley Wine Tour. After working with this group, I have fallen in love with guiding tours and hope to do more in the future. Let me fill you in on what we did…

Leaving from the Applefarm in our 25 passenger vehicle, I had the pleasure of providing the group with background information on the Enda Valley Wine Region, the art of how to taste wine and on our first winery of the day, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery. Here, the group tasted fine wines in the same room as Laetitia’s European wooden basket presses, the only one of its kind in the United States. Not only did we get to visualize this unique pressing process, but we also tasted the Methode Champenoise sparking wines that have been a tradition at Laetitia for over 20 years. What a way to start the day!

At Tolosa Winery, we enjoyed another private tasting as I walked the group through the full tasting process, starting with a close look at the color characteristics and ending with an examination of our palates. Combining this demonstration with a side-by-side taste comparison of Tolosa’s steel barrel and oak barrel Chardonnay, we were able to identify the subtleties on our palates within a single variety.  I’d like to believe that after this demonstration, each member of the party was able to identify more characteristics on their palate than before they started the tour.

While at Salisbury Vineyards, we had the pleasure of tasting fine wines with the owner and winemaker, John Salisbury. As an industry diehard, I can testify that the most valuable information one can learn about the winemaking process is always taught by the winemakers themselves. John proved my theory by talking to the group about grapes before they hit the press and sharing some insight on industry growth and trends. The combination of this conversation and the beautiful picnic area made this stop the topic of conversation for the remainder of the trip. Way to make some new fans Salisbury!

Last on our route was Perbacco Cellars. At first glance, one may wonder how to get to this winery, but I assure you that it is worth the trip. Our driver Rich, famous for his courteous character and excellent driving skills, successfully navigated the hidden back road to arrive at the small winery. Once inside, we were greeted with excellent hospitality and charmed by boutique flare of wine barrels and wine making equipment. After sharing my last few tastes of delicious wine with the group, I felt honored to have made so many new friends and was sad to end the day.

After being invited to join Opal and the gang for dinner and drinks afterwards, I had to regretfully decline, only hoping to reunite once again with such a fun clan. Parting ways with this group was sweet sorrow, as I know the group had a wonderful day and I can only hope to join another just like them.Question from Opal: “Where can I go in Paso Robles that will satisfy my thirst for big, bold red wines?” Answer: I strongly recommend that you visit Fratelli Perata on the westside of Paso Robles. Next time you are in the area I will introduce you to our Italian friends who not only specialize in your favorite type of red wine, but will also win your heart with their fine cooking and wonderful hospitality.